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Showing posts from 2013

This carpenters time in life for a change

here is a short note on the going on's of my life as owner operator of a cabinet shop. I have know for some time that a change must come. it's hard to to allow change, even though it is ever changing. I have found it more difficult to deal with suppliers who do not keep there word on delivery dates. Contracts just wanting to pass all responsibility to the superintendent and the sub's.  At the age of 54, I find it more difficult to juggle all the aspects, or to wear so many hats needed to operate a business of this nature. The business of commercial cabinet production, even on the small scale I have been reduced to, from the fall out of the rescission. I want out. I want to sell everything and start fresh, with an on line business.... We will see in the next couple of mouths.  Wish me luck and keep a look out for more updates.

Refinishing kitchen cabinets & bath rooms

I started a job I always wanted to stay away from. With that said here we go into the Gerard process of refinishing a natural colored red oak cabinetry.   I started by figuring out what would be the simplest process to maximize profit. My first thought, after getting the job, was that I bid it too low. The homeowner added 300 bucks to the bid, bad sign in my eyes...  The first step was to choose the color, they chose a nutmeg ( light walnut or brown stain color). I removed 4 door from the master bedroom and brought back to the shop. I first tried to tone the doors, after wiping a deglosser on the doors. This did work, but I thought buildup over the existing finish was too thick. So I proceeded to strip the doors. I then washed the door to removed the stripper, with lacquer thinner.  after the doors dried , wiped on a wood stabilizer to seal the door from excepting too much stain and maybe looking blotchy. I then wiped on a lacquer base stain mixer I had from a previou...

Pigmented Lacquer Project, Mud room

Dunn & Edwards lacquer, Base unit completed. I need to complete the assembly of the upper portion and deliver to client tomorrow.

Pigment Lacquer finish, thoughts

? I just finished applying pigmented lacquer to a bench. I can tell you, first you must start with a fine sanding. Paying attention to end grains. I started with white pigmented sanding sealer. I must tell you the finished product will look and feel better when you apply enough sealer, so that it, (the sealer) looks like the finished product. Then you can apply the final color. off white to bright red. Make sure that the  Atomization is to stay wet.    good luck

my pens

my pens       link https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigD6_tEJUoYvnIEhrEYq-eJPw0LqeVw1aReTMT8lYqsEvSaEuBnDEHrwl38v2HchwsgxyFfGf-jwJGC7zLyHkzNtq3PIPjVpUEwSerwWW0qrpEsDrbUtGmR0Q25ABqFIuTn7kcpCym6_4E/w1574-h885-no/20140530_173332.jpg

Our kickstarter new Pens

From my mind Art of woodworking, A Bottle Stopper from my dreams

Here is a  link to something I created over the last few days. Maple Burl in cases in acrylic, to create a world thats masquerades as a Bottle Stopper. Its what I call a collectors edition. Take a look you have never seen anything like it....   https://www.etsy.com/listing/151 758998/clear-maple-bottle-stopper-collector
I have posted something new on the web site (https://www.gmstudiospens.com) and on facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gmmerchant ), and etsy, Look Here  https://www.etsy.com/listing/151759207/fire-world-sphere-of-light-and-hope   . I started to create and mix Maple burls with acrylic resins to form whole new worlds, and possibilities. Please check them out. Bottle Stoppers, Sphere of the world from my head. click on etsy link; https://www.etsy.com/listing/151759207/fire-world-sphere-of-light-and-hope
Good morning world.A little how I started my day. I awoke this morning to birds singing outside my bedroom, as the morning progressed the birds song where being drowned out by the neighborhood awakening. ai then lay by my wife and justed touched her arm as she slept. Time to get up. I think that just starting a new vitamin regimen two days ago. I have been having trouble with pain from eyeballs down through my neck and into my shoulders. Yesterday I had pain behind my eyeball most of the day. My energy levels have been really low for last 10 days, and I had to figure it out. So I thought it could be Low "T", so I did some research on the web and came across "TEST X180", I started taking it with fish oil. I have to say today is my best day in a while. I even jumped a little rope, just long enough to show Savannah how, Too cool. That was fun.
Mortality of a Woodworker Woodworking and my mortality,something of me left for future generations. A legacy, some I leave behind. Its something that  I am working continuously to achieve. Never enough time in the day, too view days where there was enough covered, satisfaction of worth while day. A day not wasted.   Getting older you look at your mortality, and just how short life really  is. You think how is it that I remember my own deceased relatives, and how is it that you will be remembered. For  without  the the memories of your loved ones you leave behind. Why where you ever placed on this earth in the first place. . .   Your purpose here on earth, for this short time, is to make your small mark of  remembrance  by your loved ones, or to enrich the lives of all the persons you come into contact with.  Bring a smile, bring remembrance. Leave as many artifacts as possible. 

A Black mans dream in america

Living the dream by  Gerard Merchant  ( Notes ) on Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 1:08am Public Friends Friends except Acquaintances Only Me Custom Close Friends Family See all lists... GM Studios LLC Lasting Laser Impressions Phoenix, Arizona Area Associate Business Networking places of business fam school mate Gilbert, Arizona Area Too Many to Mention Mesa Community College ASU Acquaintances Go Back Living the dream: Another part of the story of the black american woodworker. Many years ago I was told that it is a good idea to sit down and write out your dreams. Well many years ago I did just that. I am lucky that I always carry this dreams, goals in a part of my brain that wakes up and lets me know that I am either in the process of realizing a portion or I am about to manifest, what seems as a dream walk in the here and now. Let tell you about one part of said dream, goal for my life. I believe it started with what I wanted to do with m...